Portugal head into the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a well-balanced squad that has plenty of experience of major tournaments and can boast household names in every position. Anchored by a resilient rearguard, they have a dynamic and creative midfield and an attack that blends formidable physical strength with sublime technical ability.
The Portuguese have established a strong tournament tradition: they finished third on their debut and have produced a legacy of talent that has been passed down through the generations, with the current crop making their mark for the world’s biggest clubs year after year.
Commanding the spotlight, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rack up historic achievements, ask questions of even the best defences and captain a Seleção das Quinas side with all the credentials to dream of lifting the coveted crown for the first time.
Portugal coach: Roberto Martinez
Before Spanish tactician Martinez assumed charge of the national team, he had already earned plaudits as Belgium’s head coach, where he gained recognition for orchestrating positional play that married ball retention with quick transitions. The length of his tenure working with the Red Devils’ golden generation highlighted the faith shown in him to get the best out of a star-studded squad. There is certainly no shortage of individual talent for him to work with in his current role, and Martinez lifted his first silverware as a national-team coach when he guided Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025.
Portugal’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
Full World Cup 2026 match schedule
How Portugal qualified for World Cup 2026
Portugal only sealed their spot at the global showpiece on the final matchday of the UEFA qualifiers. They rounded off their campaign in impressive fashion, with a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia that confirmed them top spot in Group F and showcased their attacking potential and ability to deliver when it matters most. That Portuguese rout left Hungary and Republic of Ireland to battle it out for a place in the European play-offs. During the latest qualifying journey, Portuguese football celebrated yet another Cristiano Ronaldo record, as he became the out-and-out leading scorer in World Cup preliminaries thanks to his brace against Hungary.
Portugal’s World Cup history
Portugal’s first World Cup
Portugal made their World Cup debut in 1966, producing their best campaign to date by finishing third on English soil. Led by legends of the game like Eusebio and Mario Coluna, who would go down in football folklore, the side captivated the world with their combative football and individual brilliance.
Portugal’s last World Cup
Portugal reached the quarter-finals at Qatar 2022. With Fernando Santos steering the ship, Os Navegadores made waves from the outset, securing victories over Ghana by the odd goal in five and Uruguay thanks to a Bruno Fernandes brace without reply, thus booking their place in the knockouts. Having opted to rest key players in their final group-stage outing, they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Korea Republic.
They saved their best showing for the Round of 16, when they dismantled Switzerland 6-1. In the quarter-finals, however, Morocco’s defensive organisation and inspired attacking play earned them a 1-0 win over their European counterparts and a place in the semi-finals – an unprecedented achievement for an African team.
Portugal’s memorable World Cup moments
At the heart of Portugal’s World Cup story lies their unforgettable 1966 campaign. They announced themselves as a side that could compete with the giants of the game when they triumphed over Pele’s Brazil in the group stage.
Even their elimination at the hands of eventual winners England in the semi-finals could not overshadow the brilliance of Portugal’s performances. Victory over the Soviet Union secured a third-place finish that still resonates with football enthusiasts to this day.
Four decades later, Portugal battled through yet more tense and exciting clashes when they once again made the final four, this time in Germany. They recorded some spectacular knockout victories along the way, including over the Netherlands after a gruelling contest and against England in an encounter decided on penalties. Their run culminated in a semi-final defeat at the hands of France.
Portugal’s World Cup top scorer
In 1966, Eusebio stunned crowds across England with a combination of immense physical strength and technical prowess. He found the net nine times at that tournament, placing him among the top five scorers at a single edition of the FIFA World Cup. His performances in that instalment are still revered today as being among the most impressive individual displays in the competition’s history.
Portugal’s record World Cup appearance maker
The evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo epitomises longevity and relentless competitiveness. Over the course of an illustrious international career spanning more than two decades, he has become his country’s outright record holder for appearances on world football’s biggest stage, having featured 22 times in the competition. He is set to add to that tally at the 2026 edition – his sixth World Cup, which would see him lay claim to yet another historic accomplishment.
Portugal’s biggest World Cup win
The 6-1 drubbing of the Swiss in Qatar would be a strong contender for any team’s biggest World Cup win. At South Africa 2010, however, Os Lusos scored one more and kept a clean sheet as they swept aside Korea DPR 7-0 in the group stage. Carlos Queiroz’s charges had six different scorers, with Ronaldo, Raul Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida and Liedson netting once apiece, while Tiago bagged a brace.
